"The Market is a Biggest Vigilante in the World": Fostering Systemic Change in Cage Free

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The market acts as a major driving force for efficiency, determining what systems survive and what doesn't. To promote cage-free systems successfully, creating an ecosystem is crucial. Change occurs when there is a supportive ecosystem. Silicon Valley's success is attributed to the ecosystem in place. To encourage cage-free production in Asia, it's vital to work within the market's efficiencies and not against it. By establishing a company dedicated to building an ecosystem for cage-free production, focusing on knowledge, equipment availability, and market efficiency, favorable conditions for buyers and sellers to meet cage-free commitments are created. Understanding the market's temperature is essential, as farmers have the most insight. Thus, by utilizing an ecosystem approach, the movement towards cage-free systems can thrive, leveraging the market's efficiencies for success.

Jaya is a seasoned operational executive with a rich history of promoting animal welfare in the food retail sector. As the Co-founder and Chief Program Officer of Global Food Partners, a Singapore-based multinational consulting firm, he helps food and hospitality businesses implement their cage-free egg policies across Asia and reduce the cost of cage-free sourcing.

A fascinating episode as we unpick the many advantages of working collaboratively with the industry to advance animal welfare. We chat about the key challenges to this type of work right now, animal welfare challenges in Asia generally and try to understand some of the key barriers for companies implementing improved animal welfare standards for the animals in their care.

Jaya has an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience in this area so it was a real pleasure to hear about his important work and strategic approach. A great listen.

Relevant links to things mentioned throughout the show:

Chapter Headers:

0:02:38 Why GFP works collaboratively with companies

0:06:10 Market forces and why they matter

0:12:01 Making progress for cage free

0:18:21 Key insights from cage free work in India and Asia

0:20:11 Reputational risk and its limitations in Asia

0:25:59 Forecasting the Asian animal movement

0:31:18 The impact of global welfare commitments on Asian companies

0:36:45 The importance of social proof

0:39:39 Consumers or companies responsibility

0:50:00 Offset credits for cage-free procurement

0:54:51 Cost implications of going cage free

1:08:46 Pushback from other animal advocacy groups

1:12:30 GFP plan for expanding in more countries

1:19:00 Cage free vs broiler commitments in Asia

1:20:22 The need for ecosystems and GFP's work

1:23:02 Career advice for advocates in Asia

1:26:20 Cultivating personal motivation

1:29:24 Closing questions

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